Glossary 275 complex sentences Sentences that have one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. compound sentences Sentences that have two or more independent clauses. compound-complex sentences Sentences that have at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. conjugate To list the singular and plural forms of the verb in a specific tense. conjunctions Words that connect words or groups of words. conjunctive adverbs Adverbs used to connect other words. Conjunctive adverbs are also called transitions because they link ideas. connotation A word's emotional overtones. dangling modifiers Words or phrases that describe something that has been left out of the sentence. denotation A word's dictionary meaning. dependent (subordinate) clause Part of a sentence; it cannot stand alone. diction A writer's choice of words.